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Model specific boards => Golf mk7 => Topic started by: brian1983 on 13 October 2021, 19:15

Title: Notchy gears
Post by: brian1983 on 13 October 2021, 19:15
Hi all, I've had my mk7.5 GTI manual for 2 months now and I find the gears are quite notch when slipping into gear, 1st through 4th. It's not a pleasant feeling when changing gears. I need to bring it back for some warranty work on the LED lights on the door sill so I'm going to get the dealer to have a look. I'm assuming the gearbox is covered under warranty too.

Is this notchy gearing normal?
Title: Re: Notchy gears
Post by: Yusee on 13 October 2021, 19:36
Hi Brian

No, notchy gearing isn’t normal. Should be slick.

A few months into ownership mine developed difficultly getting into reverse and first gears.

After something of a battle with VW, I eventually got a dealer to investigate and fix- gear linkages needed adjustment. Has been perfect since.

Possible you’ve got the same issue

Title: Re: Notchy gears
Post by: SRGTD on 13 October 2021, 19:57
@brian1983; Before getting my current DSG equipped car, I owned four VW’s with manual gearboxes from 2002 to 2020 and they all had slick, smooth gear changes, so I agree with Yusee, notchy gear changes aren’t normal, so take it back to the dealer.

If the dealer tries to fob you off telling you it’s normal, ask to drive another mk7.5 GTI if they have one (if not another mk7.5 Golf) so you can compare it to yours.
Title: Re: Notchy gears
Post by: brian1983 on 13 October 2021, 20:20
Thanks Yusee & SRGTD, I didn’t think it was normal but I just wanted to be sure before I went back to the dealer.
Title: Re: Notchy gears
Post by: baka on 14 October 2021, 03:45
After something of a battle with VW, I eventually got a dealer to investigate and fix- gear linkages needed adjustment. Has been perfect since.

I'd do this before anything else, my car was quite notchy when I got it, after realigning the linkage it has gotten a lot better. 
Title: Re: Notchy gears
Post by: brian1983 on 15 October 2021, 20:11
Took the car to the dealer today and a mechanic too the car for a test drive and surprise surprise they thought it was normal. He said he would check the linkages but I’ve noticed no difference, I’d bet if it wasn’t under warranty they’d be willing to replace everything as they’d make money out of it. Very very frustrating!
Title: Re: Notchy gears
Post by: joe6 on 15 October 2021, 20:22
Typical response unfortunately. You could take off the airbox and use silicon spray on the linkage. Might make a difference and worth a try if it is only a small misalignment. Try another dealership?
Title: Re: Notchy gears
Post by: brian1983 on 15 October 2021, 20:37
I might try that, a guy at work has the exact same car so I’m going to get a drive of his and compare and depending on that I might try a different dealer.
Title: Re: Notchy gears
Post by: madstaff on 16 October 2021, 14:59
First thing I would try is realign the gear linkage, it's not too difficult if you're mechanically minded.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/sw7num4cj38jehs/2017%20VW%20Golf%20GTI%20Manuals.zip?dl=0&file_subpath=%2FRepair+Manuals%2FDrivetrain%2FD4B804111B5-6-Speed_Manual_Transmission_02Q__0BB.pdf

Page 85.
Title: Re: Notchy gears
Post by: brian1983 on 17 October 2021, 08:56
Thanks Madstaff, very handy to have
Title: Re: Notchy gears
Post by: brian1983 on 23 October 2021, 20:04
I’ve noticed it’s much better when the car is good and hot after a long drive. I need to get my a part replaced on the car next week so I’ll have another chat with the dealer
Title: Re: Notchy gears
Post by: Yusee on 14 November 2021, 08:05
@brian1983 I hope you got your notchy gear shift sorted?

Driving mine over the last few weeks I’ve been thinking what a nice gear shift it is.

I think it has also got better with time. Just feels more mechanical as time has gone on.

Absolute pleasure to go up and down the gears.

If yours doesn’t feel like that, you’ve definitely got an issue. I would say even if VW don’t agree there’s a problem, i think it would be worth getting a good independent to adjust the gear linkages.

I can’t imagine that would cost much, and would make a massive difference to the enjoyment of the car.
Title: Re: Notchy gears
Post by: magic36 on 14 November 2021, 09:10
@brian1983

I have just purchased a mk7.5 gti PP and thought the gears felt notchy too and couldn’t find anything about it so just assumed it was me being used to driving a van with a loose gearbox!

It sort of feels like it doesn’t go straight in, it sort of pops….. I’m not sure if this is like what you’re experiencing?

Either way I hope you manage to get it sorted!
Title: Re: Notchy gears
Post by: Tornado8 on 19 November 2021, 18:07
@brian1983 I hope you got your notchy gear shift sorted?

Driving mine over the last few weeks I’ve been thinking what a nice gear shift it is.

I think it has also got better with time. Just feels more mechanical as time has gone on.

Absolute pleasure to go up and down the gears.

If yours doesn’t feel like that, you’ve definitely got an issue. I would say even if VW don’t agree there’s a problem, i think it would be worth getting a good independent to adjust the gear linkages.

I can’t imagine that would cost much, and would make a massive difference to the enjoyment of the car.

If you want an even better shift try thishttps://www.boombaracing.com/gti-r-transmission-adaptor/ (https://www.boombaracing.com/gti-r-transmission-adaptor/)
Title: Re: Notchy gears
Post by: Yusee on 19 November 2021, 20:25
@brian1983 I hope you got your notchy gear shift sorted?

Driving mine over the last few weeks I’ve been thinking what a nice gear shift it is.

I think it has also got better with time. Just feels more mechanical as time has gone on.

Absolute pleasure to go up and down the gears.

If yours doesn’t feel like that, you’ve definitely got an issue. I would say even if VW don’t agree there’s a problem, i think it would be worth getting a good independent to adjust the gear linkages.

I can’t imagine that would cost much, and would make a massive difference to the enjoyment of the car.

If you want an even better shift try thishttps://www.boombaracing.com/gti-r-transmission-adaptor/ (https://www.boombaracing.com/gti-r-transmission-adaptor/)

I think Watts had one of these, when he drove a proper GTi

A long throw doesn’t bother me at all, as long as it feels slick, precise and mechanical.

I’m not racing.

My pug has a very long throw but just feels great.
Title: Re: Notchy gears
Post by: Watts on 20 November 2021, 08:03
I had an Audi S3/TT short shift on mine, 100% oem part and would thoroughly recommend it. About £45 from Audi.
Title: Re: Notchy gears
Post by: joe6 on 20 November 2021, 17:54
Mine felt a little notchy when I first got it but has improved over time and I think a little silicon spray on the linkage under the airbox initially helped. All fine now. Not sure a short shift would make much difference if notchy initially?
Title: Re: Notchy gears
Post by: brian1983 on 20 November 2021, 20:30
Thanks all for your ideas, I've just got used to it and I think it's normal from talking to a mate who has the same GTI as me.
Title: Re: Notchy gears
Post by: golfdave on 22 November 2021, 21:21
VAG decided for the MQB platform to replace all the metal linkages on the top of the gearbox & those around the gearstick with...PLASTIC!!

Result is loads of slop & being unable to get a 100% alignment on the cables...

I swapped both the arm & relay plate on the top of the gearbox for metal, then removed the bushes in the cable eyes & fitted bronze inserts. Then removed the plastic main pivot pin for the gearstick & fitted the Diesel geek machined aluminium one, along with the delrin bushes for the gearstick shaft...much better & shorter due the OEM metal Audi plates/arms I used..

Most info is in this, but my gearbox has the arm/plates the opposite way around to yours...

https://www.golfmk7.com/forums/index.php?threads/how-to-modify-improve-the-gearshift-for-a-mq250-gearbox-on-a-mk7-golf.326589/